Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Large Greek butter beans slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs and garlic for a hearty vegetarian dish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 115 minutes pairs dried gigantes beans, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 105 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried gigantes beans and soak them overnight in plenty of cold water.
  2. Step 2: Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot with 3 cups water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 45 minutes.
  3. Step 3: While the beans cook, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced medium carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Cook for 7 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the vegetables and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Pour the cooked vegetables and 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes into the pot with the beans. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Simmer uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the beans are tender and creamy.
  7. Step 7: Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm as a side or main vegetarian dish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (10 min prep + 105 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried gigantes beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans in Tomato and Herb Sauce vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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